This is Viewpoints for Sunday, May, 17, 2015

This Sunday, May 17, at 2:30 p.m., at Historic Riverside Cemetery (1301 Riverside Drive at Madison Street in Macon) we will remember our veterans who have passed away this past year. This meaningful service, the week before Memorial Day, includes a reading of the names of veterans interred in Riverside during the previous 12 months. It also features special music, wreath-laying by members of local and state patriotic lineage societies to honor veterans of all wars, with a keynote address by U.S. Navy and Vietnam veteran Nick Wicker followed by the playing of taps. Historic Riverside Cemetery invites the public to come and remember our veterans. Turn off Riverside onto Madison Street by the Cemetery Gatehouse and follow the event signs to the parking which is allowed near the mausoleum.

-- Janet B. Walker

Macon

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Last week in the paper I read a story about a deputy involved in a housing scam. The article did not have a lot of information, and it looks like the deputy’s reasons are a mystery. The most concerning thing about the whole situation is the deputy’s connections to multiple radical groups. The paper said he’s tied to the Nuwaubian Nation of Moors and the Sovereign Citizens Movement, both of which are anti-establishment organizations. I find it difficult to sleep at night knowing that sworn public servants are involved in these activities. As far as what the deputy and his associates were doing with the houses, could it be a possibility that they were providing cheap housing to others in their organizations? This man clearly had more loyalty to the Nuwaubians and the Sovereign Citizens Movement than he did to protecting the people of Bibb County, whom he was defrauding. It’s a good thing this man was stopped. But if he had not been, I can only imagine the dangerous things he could have done.

-- Marcus Roting

Macon

Tax dollars at work

Graduation time is upon those who have spent the last few years hiding in classrooms hoping to acquire the necessities of life. Starting at the high school level, Peach County High will exit their seniors, some with, some without a diploma.

Too bad the statistics and appropriate names are not published so the taxpaying public can see just how badly their tax dollars are managed. Did the grad rate exceed the 59 percent last published? Maybe that $30 million high school now in the works will raise the academic achievement and show just how unsuccessful those private schools with a 99 percent college prep grad rate really are.

You can tell I just received my property tax notice for the year and just about half of it goes to a school system that could stand “improvement.”

-- Ken Brown

Byron

Another agency in trouble

The Macon/Bibb EOC is not the only Head Start provider in Middle Georgia in danger of losing its federal grant. The Head Start website lists Middle Georgia Community Action Agency in Warner Robins as having to compete for its grant at renewal time. MGCAA has failed to meet Head Start expectations in some area. What are MGCAA’s deficiencies, and how will MGCAA correct those deficiencies? The public needs to know.

-- Mary Deborah Jones

Warner Robins

Banana pudding bye-bye

When someone dies, it is customary for friends and family to descend on the grieved survivors and shower them with love and support. In the glorious Southland, this means fried chicken, potato salad -- and based on the level of tragedy -- banana pudding. Not to sound insensitive, but rather optimistic, I was always happy to see Fincher’s Bar-B-Q, which on rare occasions has provided a comfort denied even by prayer.

While there has been no announcement on the Obituary page, I am saddened to hear that “Gris has left the building.” Ed and his 500 or so words have been the difference between “oooh” and “ahhhh” for many years. His prose scratched us where we itched. Through those thousands of columns we have lived, laughed, loved and marveled. We may have even cussed a time or two. Just like family.

Franklin Roosevelt died, Douglas MacArthur got fired. The Ocmulgee spilled its banks, Fincher’s and Nu-Way both caught fire, and now Gris has left. I now know how they felt in Mudville. It’s like wrecking your car right after it got washed; like going to a baseball game and not getting a hot dog; like not getting to lick the spoon when your grandma makes a cake; like Christmas in July. I guess you could say, it just Grisses me off.

Is it the end of the world? No. But I still would feel better if there was some fried chicken or banana pudding to make me feel better.

Good luck, Gris. Can’t wait to read Ed Gris-some-more.

-- George L. Fisher

Macon

Two viable candidates?

As an independent voter, I believe that of the 20-plus 2016 presidential hopefuls, two stand above the others. Together, they can meet the challenges and remediate the growing problems that our country has with the economy, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, immigration, health care, education and cyber security, as well as bureaucratic waste and inefficiency.

As president and vice president, Marco Rubio and Carly Fiorina have the vision, leadership, trustworthiness, commitment and courage to bring our nation to its rightful place as leader of the free world, if the Republicans will nominate them.

Why Fiorina? Her extensive knowledge of Internet technology and corporate administration will enable her as vice president to head a task force to modernize and streamline the operations of the federal government.

-- Charlie Adams

Fort Valley

Support the library

In 1876, a reading club was started in Perry that later became the Perry Public Library. This library has always been heavily used by the people of Perry and Houston County. An addition/renovation is nearing completion. The state of Georgia and Houston County government officials have supported this project with a state grant and local SPLOST money. We also owe our thanks to the residents of Houston County who voted for this SPLOST. The Perry Library is the last library project to be done.

The people of Perry, both clubs and individuals, have a long history of supporting library projects. There is a need to “finish off” some things in the interior of the library. A few chairs, things for the children’s room, tablets for computer classes, a vacuum and a janitor’s cart are needed as well as a few more items. Book money is always a wonderful gift. Any amount will be appreciated. Smaller amounts will add up, and larger amounts are always wonderful. Please mention this project when you are out and about to friends and organizations.

Libraries are still a valuable resource with up-to-date resources, including computer classes and e-books. One of the things libraries do well is help create a literate society. Houston County libraries start lap sit story times at the age of 12 months and continue with older story times and special programs throughout a child’s life. When children love books and reading, they generally do better in school in all subjects. Reading is important. I urge you to take advantage of these programs with your children and grandchildren.

Thank you for helping with this library project. Donations should be sent to the Perry Public Library, 1201 Washington St., Perry, GA 31069